Cornwall and the Southwest of England
September 9-18, 2012
From bustling Bristol to the quiet lanes of Devon, from the rugged coasts of Celtic Cornwall to the very English apple orchards of Somerset, the Southwest of England has a flavor all its own, and a distinct accent to match. It is a land of legend, of craggy cliffs, high moorlands, and secluded wooded valleys; it is a land that in many areas is conscious of, and proud of, it’s Celtic past...
…and Cornwall, the Celtic Kingdom once known as Belerion, or
‘shining lands’, for the magical quality of its light...
Celtic Journeys is offering another unique trip. We hope you can join us!
Sept 9 Evening flight from Newark to London's Heathrow International Airport .
Sept 10 Arrive the following morning. After we go through customs and collect our luggage we are greeted by our coach driver who will be with us for most of our journey throughout the southwest of England. Once on the road, our first visit is to the beautiful city of Winchester and Winchester Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in all of Europe. Then on to Exeter, known in ancient times as the ‘gateway to the Celtic West’. And you are in for a treat as we are staying in a lovely hotel overlooking the water!
Overnight near ExeterSept 11 Following one of those full English breakfasts, we have to leave this lovely hotel. But we have ahead of us Dartmoor National Park, a lovely moorland landscape with wooded valleys and windswept Tors. Then as we enter the heart of the Cornwall area, a visit to Bodmin and its 15th c. St Petroc’s Church cannot be missed. St Petroc’s reliquary is a highlight of this ancient site. Then in the afternoon, Andrew Langdon will be our guide for the Celtic high crosses in the area.
1st Overnight St IvesSept 12, 13 St Ives and Penzance are surrounded by an area of Celtic culture and outstanding natural beauty. Majestic cliffs, rocky coves, pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear seas await you, not to mention the heather and gorse of the moors. Early Christian and Bronze Age sites abound, forming a landscape that is the heritage of a proud culture, a source of inspiration for artists, writers and poets (let’s not forget Gilbert and Sullivan!) St Ives is so full of history, legend and tradition, with its cobbled streets winding between quaint fishermen's cottages. This charming seaside village has the kind of simple beauty that you will never forget. And located on the shores of Mount's Bay is the island castle of St. Michaels Mount, the "jewel in the crown" of the Penzance area. We will spend two days exploring all around this wonderfully rich region…
Second and Third Overnights St IvesSept 14 Today we must leave Cornwall, but the memories of this very special part of the United Kingdom will stay with you... On to Salisbury, a favorite destination for pilgrims and visitors for 800 years or more. Here the past merges with the present, as one enjoys the delights of the medieval city and beautiful English countryside. The first glimpse of the majestic Salisbury Cathedral is almost breathtaking. Hopefully we can be present for Choral Evensong...
1st Overnight SalisburySept 15 The entire day is set aside for this ancient town, so you will be free to explore on your own. Some of the places you might want to see are the Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Old Sarum Castle, the Wardrobe, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum… Or perhaps you just might like to linger around the cathedral for the entire day!
2nd Overnight SalisburySept 16 Glastonbury Abbey is known to be one of the oldest Christian ruins in the world. Legend has it that Glastonbury is the cradle of British Christianity, being the first place on the island visited by the missionary "apostle", Joseph of Arimathea. Countless legends tell of the beginnings of Glastonbury Abbey and the mystical kingdom of Avalon. Nearby is Wells Cathedral, described as ‘a prayer in stone and glass’, with ‘shadows and shafts of light beckoning to what lies within…’ If there is time, we can visit the ancient city of Bath and Bath Abbey. It is said of the abbey that one can “experience something of God's grace - of earth and heaven meeting.”
3rd Overnight SalisburySept 17 And what visit to the Southwest of England would be complete without experiencing Stonehenge, the iconic World Heritage site that has mystified and amazed people for thousands of years. Also nearby is the village of Avebury, the site of a large henge and several stone circles. It is one of the finest and largest Neolithic monuments in Europe dating to around 5,000 years ago, and older than Stonehenge. We'll drive by the ancient Uffington White Horse, a huge stylised shape of a horse on a hillside, dating to at least 1000 BC.
We are coming to the close of our trip to Cornwall and the Southwest of England. Windsor is very near the airport, so the last night will be spent in this lovely city. Choral Evensong at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle might be a lovely way to end our time here, don't you think?
Overnight WindsorSept 18 Morning flight back to the states.
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